Student Schedules

Room Schedules

SVCC to Partner with U of I to offer A.S. Degree in Agriculture Beginning Fall '09

May 2009

Students
interested in earning an associate’s degree in the agricultural sciences have a
brand new opportunity at Sauk Valley Community College.

Sauk has
partnered with the University of Illinois’ College of Agricultural, Consumer
and Environmental Sciences (ACES) to offer ACES ACCESS, an innovative
collaborative initiative that will offer a state-wide Associate of Science
degree in Agriculture. Sauk students will pay regular Sauk tuition, not U of I
tuition for these ACES courses. Students will earn credits from Sauk, which may
be transferred to Illinois or other four-year institutions for those going on
to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

“This partnership
will give Sauk students access to faculty and classes from one of the nation’s
premiere colleges of agriculture,” said Dr. Donald Pearl, Sauk’s academic vice
president.

According to
information from ACES, ACES ACCESS was developed to expand the range of
agriculture courses that community colleges can offer students, with a focus on
assisting colleges that are challenged by declining financial resources and
faculty. Introductory courses will be available in animal sciences, crop
production, horticulture, soils, among other fields of study.

Beginning this
fall, Sauk will offer four introductory agricultural science courses through
the U of I. Students will attend these courses on campus at Sauk, which will be
taught online via distance learning by U of I faculty. Some ACES ACCESS courses
will require completion of hands-on laboratory and field experiences. These
courses will include one or two weekend sessions at the U of I’s
Champaign-Urbana campus. Other general education requirements for the program
can be taken from Sauk faculty.

There are no
specific prerequisites for this program; however, all students must have
completed all developmental reading, English, and/or math courses prior to
registering for the agricultural classes. Registration for ACES ACCESS courses
will be completed through Sauk’s Office of Admissions.

Other Illinois
community colleges are participating in ACES ACCESS. While providing a unique
opportunity that includes access to U of I faculty and facilities, this
initiative pools resources and students from across the state. According to the
U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 48,000 jobs are available each year
in agriculture and more than 300 agricultural careers are available globally.
The U of I’s ACES offers students 10 undergraduate programs with 39 different
concentrations.